The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-03-17
sAnDuU>s DEVOTED WIFE.
How Sardou Was Aided in His Early Strug
giles by His Brave and Devoted Wife.

giles by His Brave and Devoted Wife.
Writing of Victorien Sardou, Paris
correspondent of the New York Graphic
SAYS: His students Tavern" pro.
dueed at Odeon. had proved a compiete
failure The young author who had
spent his last sou in waiting for the
hoped-for success, fell dangerously i'll.
At this critical juncture woman, or,
rather, an angel, became interested in
him. Her name was Mile. de Brecourt.
She was the daughter of NJ. Leon de
Brecourt, stage manager OF the Fohes
Dramatiques. She cared for him like
Sister of Charity, spent entire nights
at his bedside, and by dint of the ten
derest and most devoted nursing, gave
him back first his health and then his
courage and hope in the future.
Those who have had the pleasure OF
meeting Nine. Sardon-for such was
Mile. de Brecourt' 5 subsequent designa-
tion-agree in the statement that few
women have proved themselves so
good, so far-seeing, apd so brave.
When she was taken from him by death
the dramatist came near also parting
with his senses. 1t was two years be-
fore he again touched his pen. But
her husband was not the only one who
glseved for her. Everybody who knew
her shared in this bereavement.
Virginie DejaZet in particular could
not forget her bosom friend, for such
Nine. Sardou had been to her: 1t was
Nile. de Brecourt who had interested
her in the young author and induced
her to give him a chance at her theater.
He has talent" said the fair plead
er, land he is so unhappy! Oh! mad
anne, you have his future in your
hands"
Il am AFRAID your advocacy of the
young mans cause is not altogether
disinterested, said Nine. Dejazet,
laughingly.
You are right, madame" said the
young girl without blushing; Il love
and admire him"
Sardou, although poor, had little
''den,' where he labored assiduously
twelve hours day He was now go
ing Though what he called his ECKER
else He read the great works of
Scribe and Melesville, but would stop
at the end of the fourth act. Then he
would sit down at his desk and write
fifth act himself This finished, he
would read the two fifth acts to the
partner of his joys and sorrows with
out telling her which was which, and
leaving her to decide who was the au-
thor from internal evidence. 1t is on
record that she often decided that the
denoUement imagined by Sardou was
superior to the real denoUcmcnt by
Scribe. Then this slsillful dramatist
would reverse matters and write the
first three acts of play after having
read the last two.
In 1888 Fictorien was presented by
his wife to Mile. FTginic Dejazet
This celebrated artistic had Just then
purchased the Follies Nouvelles and
was about to open it as the Theater
DeiaZct. The actress once said, in re-
ferring TO the interview:
Nv hat struck me most in the young
author WAS his remarkable resemblance
TO Napoleon Bonaparte." He could
talk, and talk we'll and the result was
that an arrangement was made by
which Sariou wa, to write piece for
the opening night of the new enter
prise. 1t proved success, and was
followed by a second, m. Carat, "
which also scored a hit. Then came
the elegant comedy that gave its au-
thor distinct place in dramatic litera-
ture, Les Pattes de Mouche," or, as
it is known on the English stage, ga
Scrap Of Paper"
The evolution of the ''Plattes' was
a curious one. The manuscript had
been left with the manager of the
Vaudeville, but the latter had never
found the time TO read it. Nine. Sar-
dou, without her husband 5 knowledge,
called on this busy person and brought
the Plates away with her. Then
presenting herself before the lamented
Rose Cheri-at that time the leading
lady OF the Gymnase, and one of the
few real actresses your correspondent
ever saw-informed her that her hus-
band was the author Of the current sue
cess at the Deiazct, M Carat" and
that he had written a comedy with a
striking female part, which she would
like to leave for the artists perusal.
The latter conserving, the manuscript
was left with the wifc's card. Il read
as follows: